Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Fundamentals of Electrical Faults in Power Systems

• Understand the types of electrical faults:
• Open-circuit faults (broken conductors, loose connections).
• Short-circuit faults (phase-to-phase, phase-to-ground, three-phase).
• Earth faults and leakage currents.
• Overloads and thermal faults.
• Recognize causes and impacts of faults in electrical plants.

2. Electrical Fault Detection and Diagnosis Techniques

• Perform visual inspections for burned components, loose connections, and overheating.
• Utilize testing instruments for fault detection, including:
• Multimeters and clamp meters.
• Megohmmeters (insulation resistance testing).
• Thermal imaging cameras for hotspot detection.
• Oscilloscopes and power quality analyzers.
• Circuit tracers and fault locators.
• Interpret alarms, trip signals, and system logs in electrical control systems.

3. Fault Analysis in Power Distribution Systems

• Diagnose faults in transformers (winding failures, oil degradation, bushing faults).
• Troubleshoot switchgear and circuit breakers (contact wear, arc flash damage, tripping).
• Analyze motor control center (MCC) faults (overloads, phase failures, VFD issues).
• Identify cable faults (insulation breakdown, moisture ingress, partial discharge).
• Troubleshoot earthing and bonding failures leading to stray voltage issues.

4. Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and Troubleshooting Methods

• Apply systematic troubleshooting approaches such as:
• 5 Whys Method
• Ishikawa (Fishbone) Diagram
• Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
• Develop a structured fault diagnosis workflow for quick resolution.
• Implement temporary and permanent corrective actions.

5. Protection System and Fault Coordination

• Understand protective relays and fault isolation in power systems.
• Learn relay coordination and selectivity to minimize downtime.
• Test and adjust overcurrent, differential, and earth fault protection relays.

6. Predictive and Preventive Maintenance Strategies

• Implement condition-based monitoring (CBM) and predictive maintenance (PdM).
• Utilize advanced monitoring techniques:
• Vibration analysis for rotating machinery.
• Infrared thermography for overheating detection.
• Power quality monitoring for voltage sags, harmonics, and transients.
• Develop preventive maintenance schedules to minimize unexpected failures.

7. Safety and Compliance in Fault Diagnosis

• Follow electrical safety procedures (NFPA 70E, OSHA, IEC 60204-1).
• Implement Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) for troubleshooting live equipment.
• Ensure compliance with IEEE, NEC, IEC, and ISO standards.

8. Case Studies and Practical Applications

• Analyze real-world case studies of electrical faults and resolutions.
• Participate in hands-on exercises for diagnosing and fixing electrical faults.
• Develop a fault management strategy for an electrical plant.

Target Audience

• Electrical engineers and maintenance personnel
• Power plant and industrial facility operators
• Electrical supervisors and reliability engineers
• Safety and compliance officers
• Automation and control system engineers